It’s by no means the only case of a model doing a shoot herself during lockdown—Lucire KSA’s May 2020 edition has Miss Universe New Zealand 2016 Tania Dawson at home with a Playstation in its opening spread—though it is probably the highest-profile, as Naomi Campbell took to doing a series of self-portraits using her Iphone for the 50th anniversary of Essence.
   Campbell, born the same year as the magazine—indeed, the same month—was the ideal choice for the title aimed at black American women. While selfies—even those done with the cellphone camera set to shoot on a timer, and placed in a correct position—will never be a match for having an entire crew, including a professional photographer, stylist, make-up artist and hairstylist, her efforts are still creditable. No doubt having years of experience in front of the camera helped, as well as the high resolutions offered by modern phones.
   The concept was conveyed via Facetime by Essence’s chief content and creative officer MoAna Luu.
   Campbell wears a vintage Chloé dress on the cover—complete with a thick white border, which seems to be a late 2010s–early 2020s graphic design trend—and more images appear in the magazine’s May–June 2020 issue. Part of Lola Ogunnaike’s interview with Campbell appears on Essence’s website.
   It is the first time the supermodel, whose career began in the 1980s, has photographed herself for a magazine cover.

Naomi Campbell used her iPhone to shoot this month’s Essence cover in honor of her 50th birthday and the 50 year anniversary of Essence Magazine. ✨ pic.twitter.com/HuPbtFfGqQ

— (@blkgirlsrelate) May 7, 2020

British Fashion Council

Top honours at this year’s Fashion Awards—formerly the British Fashion Awards—went to Giorgio Armani, Daniel Lee for Bottega Veneta, and Kim Jones for Dior Men, in a spectacular night at the Royal Albert Hall in London, hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross and attended by 4,000 guests.
   As well as presenters and winners, VIPs spotted on the red carpet included Alexa Chung, Adwoa Aboah, Maya Henry, Samuel Ross, Julien Macdonald, Nicole Scherzinger, Pixie Geldof, A$AP Rocky, Rihanna, Stella Maxwell, Simon Porte, Ed Westwick, and AJ Tracey.
   Alongside the regular awards, the British Fashion Council, as the organizer of the event, also honoured the New Wave: Creatives 2019, 100 innovative, young creative talents from around the world based in London, promoting the city’s position as a major centre for the fashion industry.
   The night also hosted Central Saint Martins’ The White Show for the first time. This show comprises designs from the school’s new intake of BA fashion students, with the one criterion of creating a design in white. The Council noted that this also celebrated how international talent was brought together in London. It had sponsored the show by enabling Central Saint Martins to provide the students with sustainably sourced white fabrics. Little Simz opened The White Show and performed ‘Venom’ and ‘Jealous’.
   To close, Giorgio Armani, who took home the Outstanding Achievement Award, presented by Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett, presented his Armani Privé haute couture collection at the Awards, with his long-time collaborator Eric Clapton playing out the night.

The winners
Commencing the night was the Award for Positive Change, given to the signatories of the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, and presented by Amber Valletta and Halima Aden. Emmanuel Gintzburger (Alexander McQueen), Gabriele Maggio (Stella McCartney), José Neves (Farfetch), Stefan Seidel (Puma), Thierry Andretta (Mulberry) and Wolfgang Blau (Condé Nast) accepted.
   Rosie Huntington-Whiteley presented Bottega Veneta with the Brand of the Year award. The British Emerging Talent awards were given to Bethany Williams in the menswear category, presented by Rita Ora and Liam Payne; Rejina Pyo won for the womenswear category, presented by Bel Powley and Gugu Mbatha Raw.
   A special tribute to Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away earlier this year, was presented by Dame Anna Wintour and Lady Amanda Harlech.
   Fenty won the Urban Luxe award, presented by Tyler, the Creator and Janet Jackson. Remo Ruffini for Moncler was named Business Leader, presented by Shailene Woodley.
   As announced prior, supermodel Naomi Campbell was named this year’s Fashion Icon, with her award presented by Royal College of Art chancellor and former Apple head of design Sir Jony Ive.
   Accessories Designer of the Year was Daniel Lee for Bottega Veneta, presented by Karen Elson.
   Emilia Clarke presented the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator to Sam McKnight. Christopher Kane was named the Designers’ Designer, a new award for 2019, presented by Kylie Minogue. This new award is voted for by designer members of the British Fashion Council.
   Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen won the Trailblazer Award, presented by Naomi Campbell.
   The big prizes of the evening went to Kim Jones for Dior Men as the British Designer of the Year (menswear), presented by Miguel and Kaia Gerber, and accepted by Donatella Versace; and to Daniel Lee for Bottega Veneta in the womenswear category, presented by Emma Roberts.
   Adut Akech succeeded Kaia Gerber as this year’s Model of the Year, presented by Pierpaolo Piccioli and Edward Enninful.
   Lee was also named Designer of the Year, an award conceived after the British Fashion Awards dropped the ‘British’, allowing the Council to recognize the world’s best. Naomi Watts presented this award.
   The final award of the evening, the Outstanding Achievement Award, was to Giorgio Armani.
   Ten of the sixteen awards are voted on by an international panel of industry experts. Each winner received a Swarovski crystal trophy designed by Ross Lovegrove.
   Fat Tony DJed the after-party.
   The event is the main fund-raiser for the British Fashion Council, a non-profit. Last year, it raised over £2·3 million for its charities and business support initiatives. Of this, £1·1 million is allocated directly to scholars and designer businesses, with the remainder going to an endowment for future generations.

British Fashion Council

Above: Rachel van Dyken and Kathy Ireland.

As if building up a multi-million-dollar fashion and home licensing enterprise and her philanthropy weren’t enough of a follow-up to a highly successful modelling career, Kathy Ireland can now add novelist to her list of credits, with her first title written with the number-one New York Times best selling author Rachel van Dyken, Fashion Jungle, out January 28, 2020 from Trident Media Group, retailing at US$28·99 and available for pre-order now on Amazon and Itunes.
   The new book is being described as Valley of the Dolls meets Sex and the City, and will be an ‘honest and exciting foray into the world of fashion.’
   Ireland draws on her own experiences, including her faith, as she and van Dyken tell the story of four women within the modelling industry, against the very relevant backdrop of the #MeToo movement and human trafficking.
   ‘Fashion Jungle is a novel based on twists and turns that are true. It’s the one story I never expected to tell. The fashion industry is a beautiful and simultaneously an ugly and dangerous place. I entered the jungle at the age of 16 and made wonderful friends and more than a few enemies. Fashion illusion can be responsible for great tragedy. Girls who starve themselves, recreational drug and alcohol use that becomes addictive, sex trafficking, statutory rape and most people are shocked to learn how many models lose their lives or simply disappear,’ says Ireland.
   Ireland herself had appeared on the covers of Vogue and Cosmopolitan, among others, and graced three Sports Illustrated covers, one of which is its best selling issue of all time.
   ‘Rachel van Dyken is a brilliant writer. She took the journey through memories, romance and pain, kindness and cruelty and wove a cautionary tale for anyone who has ever looked at a beautiful fashion image,’ adds Ireland. ‘Begging the question, what happens before and after the click of the camera and the end of the runway? Children cannot give permission to have sex with adults. It’s heartbreaking to know that in the world of fashion this is very common. Our hope is that this book will make people aware and therefore, avoid unnecessary risks.’
   Van Dyken says, ‘Working with Kathy was such a fun process. I truly feel like we were able to create a suspenseful, not to mention romantic story that will really resonate with readers of all ages. We were able to take facets of her life and weave them into a fictional tale that both of us are so extremely proud of. I can’t wait for Fashion Jungle to release into the wild, I hope it impacts readers around the world, the way it impacted us while writing it.’

Novel synopsis
Four women, four very different paths. One incredibly cutthroat world. Welcome to the Jungle.
   As America’s sweetheart, Brittany is perceived as the “good girl”. The sort to bring her Bible to a photo shoot … only to garner the attention of a most unlikely suitor. Until one mistake irrevocably changes both of their lives forever. Fortunately, both now and then, Brittany has wonderful support systems, including her tribe.
   The leader of the tribe and a model who’s fought every battle and obstacle in the industry, Zoe, knows her worth. Until a sex tape scandal rocks her world. She sees no choice but to put her trust in the one man she shouldn’t, to make it all go away and help her succeed. Unfortunately, not only is he mired in New York’s underbelly, he wants repayment … with interest. Namely, her hand in marriage.
   Despite her seemingly perfect life, Everlee has problems of her own. Not only has her world-renowned photographer husband been cheating, but it’s actually much worse than that. The things surrounding what he’s done are so dark and dangerous, Everlee’s life may actually be in jeopardy. And then there’s Danica, cold, dead in the ground Danica. Some secrets stay hidden while others are just waiting to be discovered—hers has the power to alter the industry forever.
   In the world of the Fashion Jungle, it’s easily eat or be eaten—but, if you make it out alive, you just might have a story to tell—though it will likely be one of secrets, lies, deceit, and loss.

Darren Gerrish/BFC

Above: British Fashion Council CEO Caroline Rush and Naomi Campbell.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell will receive the Fashion Icon award at this year’s Fashion Awards from the British Fashion Council, to be held December 2 at the Royal Albert Hall.
   The Council says Campbell is being honoured for her career as a supermodel and for her philanthropy, in particular for her efforts toward diversity and equality, especially in Africa.
   Caroline Rush, the British Fashion Council’s CEO, said, ‘We cannot think of a more deserving recipient than iconic Londoner Naomi Campbell, she has achieved exceptional work in the industry. Naomi represents female empowerment, activism and glamour and her voice is used for great impact. We are thrilled to present the Fashion Icon award to Naomi and acknowledge her for her remarkable contribution to the global fashion industry and we look forward to celebrating with her in London in December.’
   Streatham-born Campbell, with Jamaican and quarter-Chinese heritage, was discovered by an agent after school when she was 15. In 1986, just shy of her 16th birthday, she scored her first cover, with Elle UK. She was the first black model to cover Vogue Paris in 1988, and the first black model on a Vogue September issue, in 1989. She scored the same firsts on the covers of Time and Vogue Russia, and was the first black British model on the cover of British Vogue. She has appeared in campaigns for Chanel, Burberry, Christian Dior, Versace, Fendi, Balmain, Prada, Valentino, and Ralph Lauren.
   Her charity work began with Nelson Mandela in 1993. Campbell presented a tribute to Mandela in what would have been his 100th birthday year at the 2018 Global citizen Festival, and spoke at Winnie Mandela’s funeral. She founded Fashion for Relief in 2005, initially to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, and helped launch the Diversity Coalition campaign to address racism in the fashion industry. She headlined the 2019 Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit and co-produce the Arise Fashion Week in Lagos.
   Tables and boxes to the Fashion Awards are now on sale. For details, email fashionawardstable@britishfashioncouncil.com or FashionAwardsBox@britishfashioncouncil.com. General tickets go on sale on June 26, with American Express customers able to access pre-sale tickets on Ticketmaster.

Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com

H&M has launched its collaboration with Jeremy Scott of Moschino, Moschino [tv] H&M, at a party in New York on October 24, with Paris Jackson, Frances Bean Cobain, Miles Richie, Coco Rocha, Kiersey Clemons, Bebe Rexha, twins Cailli Beckerman and Sam Beckerman, blogger Danielle Bernstein, Aquaria, Sergio d’Arcy Lane, Amiaya, the Misshapes’ Geordon Nicol and Leigh Lezark, Luis Borges, Nick Champa and Pierre Bouvier, Takahiro Tasaki, Marc Jacobs and fiancé Char Defrancesco, Mj Rodriguez, Vogue’s Hamish Bowles, Mia Moretti, Roy Wang (王源), and Indya Moore among the guests. On the catwalk was an international cast: Gigi and Bella Hadid, Isabeli Fontana, Stella Maxwell, Candice Swanepoel, Soo Joo Park, Winnie Harlow, Joan Smalls, Taylor Hill, Imaan Hamman, Barry Lomeka, Hiandra Martinez, Duckie Thot, Denek K, Salomon Diaz, Isabella Emmack, Dilone, Radhika Nair, Anwar Hadid, Hoyeon Jung, Davidson Obennebo, Anyelina Rosa, Cayley King, Theodora ‘Teddy’ Quinlivan, Aiden Curtiss, Cara Taylor, João Knorr, Birgit Kos, Sora Choi, Luna Bijl, Jhona Burjack, Gong Guohao, Charles Oduro, Grace Elizabeth, Alexis Chaparro, Trevor Signorino, Meghan Roche, Yasmin Wijnaldum, Noah Luis Brown, Mitchell Slaggert, Zhengyang Zhang, and supermodel Naomi Campbell, among others. The after-party, meanwhile, was led by Grammy Award-winning producer and artist Diplo.
   The catwalk was lit like Times Square in Manhattan, while the models entered via a staircase reminiscent of an old Broadway musical. After the show, Diplo was revealed as the billboards framing the catwalk rose.
   There was also a pop-up Moschino [tv] H&M store at the event, where guests could buy the clothes immediately after the show.
   ‘The Moschino [tv] H&M collection is a gift to my fans and I wanted to give them the most Moschino collection ever. I tried to include all the ingredients you would expect from one of my shows—cartoon couture mixed with a streetwear vibe doused
with hip-hop-worthy amounts of bling-bling to create a totally Moschino look,’ said Scott.
   ‘We had so much fun being transported to Jeremy’s Moschino world at the Moschino [tv] H&M show. It captured the positivity, sense of humour and joy that is in every single piece of the collection,’ said H&M creative adviser Ann-Sofie Johansson.
   The collection hits selected stores worldwide on November 8.

Behind the scenes

At the show

Catwalk

This year’s Green Carpet Fashion Awards, Italia, held at La Scala at Milano on Sunday, saw Suzy Menkes, Elle Macpherson and Donatella Versace pick up awards, along with four Australian farmers, who were awarded the Eco Stewardship Award.
   The event was opened by Carlo Capasa, president of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, who was joined by Livia Firth, the founder of the awards, whose husband, Colin Firth, also attended.
   ‘These awards are referred to as the awards that put the heart back into the global fashion industry. We will hear stories about transformative change and real solutions for a future where fashion is finally sustainable,’ said Livia Firth.
   Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli presented the Visionary Award to Menkes, Colin Firth presented the Handprint Award to Calabria Story, and Julianne Moore presented the Art of Craftsmanship Award to the cobblers of Salvatore Ferragamo, who were joined by chairman Ferruccio Ferragamo.
   The award for Technology and Innovation went to Frumat leather, presented by Hari Nef; Elle Macpherson won the Wellness Award for WelleCo, presented by Alison Brie and Nerio Alessandri; and Halima presented the Supply Chain Innovation Award to Sourcemap.
   Actress Cate Blanchett presented the Eco Stewardship Award to Bangor Farm’s Matt and Vanessa Dunbabin, and Connewarran Farm’s Richard and Jenny Weatherly. They travelled from Tasmania to accept the award, recognizing their work in trying to regenerate and increase biocapacity and resilience.
   Petra Němcová and Emily Ratajkowski presented the CNMI Award for Community and Social Justice to Diesel’s Renzo Rosso and Tod’s Diego della Valle. Jeremy Irvine, Arnie Hammer, Desirée Bollier and Vogue Italia’s Sara Sozzani Maino presented the Franca Sozzani GCC Award for Best Emerging Designer to Gilberto Calzolari.
   Hu Bing and Stefania Rocca presented the Sustainable Producer Award to Bonotto; Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri presented the GCFA Leaders’ Award to Sinéad Burke; and supermodel Cindy Crawford presented the CNMI Award in Recognition of Sustainability bestowed to Donatella Versace, amongst rumours that she was about to sell the family business. Angela Missoni presented the Changemaker Award to Cameron Russell.
   Versace said, ‘I know it might sound obvious but we are running out of time to save our planet. If everyone did a little something to contribute, things would improve dramatically… but it’s the only way forward.’
   Guests at the event included Alessandra Ambrosio, Alison Brie, and Olivia Palermo, among others.
   The post-show supper was held at Milano’s town hall, hosted by mayor Giuseppe Sala.